International Professional Learning Communities: The Role of Enabling School Structures, Trust, and Collective Efficacy

Authors

  • Julie A Gray The University of West Florida
  • Robert Summers Buffalo State University

Keywords:

professional learning communities, trust, collective efficacy, enabling school structures, international private education

Abstract

We explored the role of enabling school structures, trust in the principal, collegial trust, and collective efficacy in 15 pre-Kindergarten to 12th grade international, private schools in South and Central America. While the majority of these schools shared an "American" curriculum that was taught predominantly in English, we found that local culture and school norms affected the development of professional learning communities (PLCs) in each school and country accordingly.  As enabling school structures, trust in the principal, collegial trust, and collective efficacy were more established, the PLC was more likely to be developed based upon teacher perceptions in this quantitative study.

Author Biographies

Julie A Gray, The University of West Florida

Julie Gray, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership at the University of West Florida.  Her research interests include professional learning communities, trust, enabling school structures, collective efficacy, and academic optimism.

 

Robert Summers, Buffalo State University

Dr. Robert Summers is the Assistant Dean of International and Exchange Programs at Buffalo State University. 

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Published

2015-12-18

Issue

Section

General Refereed Papers